**Trigger Warning: This essay discusses body dysmorphia and eating disorders

Now more than ever, we let our social media profiles define who we are. We quantify our happiness in terms of the number of likes and views we receive on our posts – the more likes, the happier we are. We have all been there at some point. However, we often overlook that what brings us happiness today could become a source of stress and sadness tomorrow. Instagram, one of the most used social media applications, is popular among all age groups and genders. Having a presence on Instagram allows us to share glimpses of our lives. Whether we are actively posting or just passively scrolling, we constantly compare ourselves to others. While Instagram helps us stay connected with our near and dear ones, it also opens the door to self-consciousness and self-criticism.

We can never fully return to a time before social media, and most of us would not want to; it keeps us connected with our friends, family, and the world around us. However, the filtered version of life that people often present on social media can be damaging. Famous creators and celebrities on Instagram often present idealized versions of themselves, showcasing only their most flattering moments. That is precisely what we fail to understand. It creates a distorted reality that we may strive to imitate. This reflects the perpetual desire to blend in because of social influence, making it difficult to establish an authentic sense of self.

These influences can be particularly harmful to young adults. Being in college is a time when we are figuring out who we really are, what we believe, and what makes us, us. It’s a personal journey, and everyone experiences it in their own way. However, social media platforms like Instagram play a significant role in influencing our minds. This influence often comes in the form of viral trends that catch on quickly. On the surface, these trends appear to be “fun,” but some of them are actually quite damaging when we look at the bigger picture. It may hurt to be a buzzkill, but it is important to see these trends for what they are. 

These trends make us feel that our lives should look a certain way. College students, both young men and women, may feel compelled to look like influencers with “perfect” bodies because they view that as the “standard” or the “ideal.” Moreover, when we are unable to match what we see on Instagram, we often end up feeling disappointed and start criticizing ourselves.

Another factor to consider is the amount of time we spend on Instagram. According to a Gallup survey, young adults spend more time on social media than on homework. The survey reveals that, on average, young women in college spend 5.3 hours a day on social media, while young men spend 4.4 hours. This time spent online often leads to a skewed perception of reality, as the more time we spend scrolling, the more we are exposed to unrealistic beauty standards.

Everyone is guilty of scrolling, but when it gets excessive, the content we are meant to engage with ends up controlling us, giving rise to serious issues. The New York Times conducted a survey where they asked students how they felt social media impacted their body image. One of the students said, “…for those who are blind to the amount of editing being done, are put under the impression that if you aren’t ‘perfectly’ skinny or your stomach isn’t toned and flat, then you aren’t beautiful. I have struggled with body confidence, and I find myself deleting Instagram whenever it gets too bad because I am subconsciously wishing I looked like the girls on my feed.”

One such trend, known as “Thinspiration” or “Thinspo,” recently circulated not only on Instagram but also on TikTok and Facebook. The word is a combination of “thin” and “inspiration,” and people use it as a hashtag to encourage their users to be thin. For example, “thinspo” posts on Instagram that say, “Skip dinner. Wake up thinner,” promoting the same idea. Publicizing extreme measures to lose weight can lead to mental and physical issues like Body Dysmorphic Disorder (BDD) and eating disorders. According to a counselor at Selah House, an eating disorder treatment center, people with BDD often alter their eating habits in an attempt to fix features they perceive as flawed. These changes are a sign of an eating disorder, and many of the posts encouraging such behaviors are made by people struggling with these issues themselves. However, they do not realize the damage they are doing to their own bodies and the harm they may cause others by encouraging them to adopt unhealthy habits, although disguised as healthy.

The psychological consequences of these trends are more serious than most realize. According to the International OCD Foundation, BDD currently affects 1.7% to 2.9% of the general population. This means that more than 5 million people to nearly 10 million people in the United States alone have BDD. The condition is more common in women and usually starts during people’s teen years. Social media, specifically Instagram, acts as the major cause of this issue as it fuels a constant desire for validation while providing a platform for self-expression. A study published in the Scandinavian Journal of Psychology found that Instagram addiction contributes to dysmorphic concerns, with appearance-based rejection sensitivity playing a key role in the link between Instagram use and BDD in young adults. People struggling with BDD are so consumed by thoughts of their perceived flaws that they may have trouble leaving the house and may deal with depression; social media can exacerbate these struggles. 

However, even if you do not have body dysmorphia, you can still face very real self-esteem concerns that start with or are made worse by what you see on social media, as many people are prone to idolizing public figures who may be enforcing harmful beauty standards, for example, beauty influencers, bodybuilders, and so on. As much as it is normal to appreciate their pictures online, it has undesirable effects on a lot of people. Many creators use social media to share their lives, but what they show is not always the whole story. When we begin to think that what we see online is the real life of the person behind the account, it can lead us to believe that everyone’s life is perfect. This can create a false idea of what life is really like, including the struggles and imperfections we all have, such as bad skin or difficult days. In the process of finding a role model, we start to compare.

There are some creators who have emerged as body image activists, such as Tess Holliday and Jameela Jamil, aiming to help others embrace their bodies and feel comfortable in their skin. Yet, despite their brave efforts, they often face negative comments on their posts. This negativity can overshadow the positive messages that they try to promote, limiting the amount of change they can make. Moreover, these hurtful comments not only affect the creators but can also impact the people who read them, reinforcing harmful beauty standards and damaging self-esteem.

In the article “Stop Blaming the Media for Our Body Image Issues,” author Lauren Berninger writes that “people have the power to choose what they want to see online, what they want to believe about themselves, and how they want to act with what they see on social media.” While I understand Berninger’s point of view, she overlooks the role social media algorithms play in shaping the content we are exposed to, often beyond our control. Instagram prioritizes content based on engagement, which means that posts featuring idealized bodies and edited images are more likely to appear on our feed because such content is likely to generate more engagement. This can happen even if we have not actively sought out or engaged with such content, as the algorithm not only shows content from accounts we follow but also recommended posts based on our activity. Even if we continuously try to avoid certain content, the pressure to conform to beauty standards can still seep in through constant exposure to unrealistic content due to the biased algorithm. Therefore, we cannot entirely control our online experience, especially when it comes to body image.

To combat these detrimental effects, the promotion of digital literacy is necessary. If we educate ourselves and others around us about the curated nature of social media, we can consume such content while also acknowledging its unrealistic nature. Initiatives, such as accounts encouraging self-love, that urge us to question the authenticity of what we see online and to celebrate diverse body types, are a path to self-acceptance. As UIC students, we can create or join campus organizations that promote body positivity and mental health awareness. For example, participating in or organizing workshops, support groups, or social media campaigns that challenge harmful beauty standards can help instill a sense of community. In addition to that, individuals struggling with BDD or other mental and physical health issues should reach out to someone they trust to seek emotional or moral support, as well as professionals who can help them heal. Finally, fostering communities and creating safe spaces for open discussions about body image and mental health, such as hosting regular peer-led conversations or providing mental health resources on campus, can help people who are struggling feel less isolated and more understood.

Instagram is a double-edged sword. It can be a source of inspiration and connection, but it can also contribute to distorting self-image and mental health. Its influence extends far beyond mere aesthetics. By nurturing a culture that prioritizes real experiences over filtered ones, the adverse effects of social media on individuals dealing with body dysmorphia can be diminished. Remember, social media is just a snapshot – not the whole story. The more we embrace our imperfections, the more we can help others around us do the same.